What you are describing is MVD, internal shunting versus a large external shunt, which can be repaired. If no shunt showed up on the nucelear scintogrophy, are you going to have a liver biopsy done? That will surely show any internal shunting. Best of luck with her..with a low protein diet, and a careful mommy, she should live many more happy years. I hope you've informed her breeder.

[QUOTE=DomLee]I have a question.

How many of you guys have had your pets (Yorkie or not) diagnosed w/ Liver Shunt (or another similar Liver related disease).

And if so, I want to generally know:

1) What costs to expect.
2) The recovery period. How difficult? How much care is needed?
3) Life upon full recovery. How is their personality (back to normal?)? Any precautions that now need to be taken that you didn't before?

I see information on the diagnosis of liver shunt, but NOTHING from an owner's standpoint about recovery.

Thanks.

I guess you have not been reading my posts on Gucci.. My puppy is 2 yrs old and was diagnosed with Liver shunt a few weeks ago.If you like read my posts for there is too much to write now. Gucci had surgery yesterday, they found one external shunt and placed the ameriod constrictor.She is recovering nicely but they are watching her for the next two days, to see if her liver is accepting the blood flow.Prior to this she was on the Hills prescription l/d diet and lacotose medicine. She will be on this for another few weeks and then she will go back for more testing. I will keep you posted as time goes along , feel free to pm me at anytime..The costs are quite expensive here in the mideast. I live in NJ and this hospital is one of the best.It is hard but I had to do what I had to do to help her.

[QUOTE=GucciMyGirl][QUOTE=DomLee]I have a question.

How many of you guys have had your pets (Yorkie or not) diagnosed w/ Liver Shunt (or another similar Liver related disease).

And if so, I want to generally know:

1) What costs to expect.
2) The recovery period. How difficult? How much care is needed?
3) Life upon full recovery. How is their personality (back to normal?)? Any precautions that now need to be taken that you didn't before?

I see information on the diagnosis of liver shunt, but NOTHING from an owner's standpoint about recovery.

Thanks.

I guess you have not been reading my posts on Gucci.. My puppy is 2 yrs old and was diagnosed with Liver shunt a few weeks ago.If you like read my posts for there is too much to write now. Gucci had surgery yesterday, they found one external shunt and placed the ameriod constrictor.She is recovering nicely but they are watching her for the next two days, to see if her liver is accepting the blood flow.Prior to this she was on the Hills prescription l/d diet and lacotose medicine. She will be on this for another few weeks and then she will go back for more testing. I will keep you posted as time goes along , feel free to pm me at anytime..The costs are quite expensive here in the mideast. I live in NJ and this hospital is one of the best.It is hard but I had to do what I had to do to help her.[/QUOte


oops I meant Northeast...lol

Cali was diagnosed with internal liver shunt mild (MVD). Cali had a lot of other issues but altogther I have spent over 6000 on her medical care in 1 year. I have been reimbursed by Insurance about 1300 dollars. About 2000 was for diagnosing her liverr shunt. A liver biopsy determined it after Bile Acid levels came back high.

Can I still buy pet insurance even though Gucci had surgery? Where do I start?

I do not think the pet insurance will cover surgery already done...

I used VPI (www.petinsurance.com) maybe you should call them and ask...

XoXoXo
Fran

What to feed my Yorkie?
 

Hi there,

I'm new to this forum. I have a Yorkie named Romeo. He weighs 3 pounds. He had surgery for a liver shunt in 2000. He's doing fine. I'm just trying to find the right food to feed him. I was told he could go off his medicine and special prescription food once his bile acid blood work was good. So I've had him on adult food like Science Diet and special foods. I don't give him table food. Now, he's had these episodes that scares me. His stomach gets hard and it hurts him. Then it takes about 8 hours to go away. I think I feed him too much so I have to be careful.

Does anyone know if there's a certain food I should be giving him due to the fact of his liver shunt surgery. He's not supposed to have a lot of protein. I'm wondering if he needs to be on something more digestible. I've had him checked and really don't get a lot of answer. Please help if you can.

Thanks,
Lana.

Thank you Fran

I responded to your PM

This past Sunday (10/29/06) at approximately 9:45pm...we lost Mimi.

As such, I will not be updating this particular thread about liver shunts anymore...

She had filet mignon earlier in the day...
and was last doing one of the things she does best...fighting w/ Binks (our Yorkie)...

She was a little over 2 lbs, an escape artist, and loved getting dirty (my little tomboy). Despite her small size, she would always fight and steal food from Binks. She would climb on top of you, and nip your lips to give you a quick kiss. She always walked in a "prancing" motion...and would always be the first one in the kitchen. When she ran, she would run w/ both legs at the same time...resembling a bunny.

She is now free of medication and able to eat anything she wants.

I'm at a loss for words...as she was my little girl. I already miss the tiny pitter-patter of her feet.

Here is a pic of her, next to a "Double Double".

*For those of you in SoCal, I have a supply of Hepatic LS/14 and some lactulose, which I will be more than happy to give to another dog owner affected by liver shunt.

**Please do not make reference to the "rainbow bridge" in my thread. More than anything,...I just need time...

Time is the best healer...:)

I am sorry for your loss

I started reading this thread from the beginning and I was completely in shock when I got to the end. I am so sorry for your loss. :cry:

I am so sorry
 

I wish I had wonderful words of comfort for you but I know there are none.

I havent been on here as much as I'd like, but Piper might have a LS also. I started reading this site for help. When I got to the end and read what happened to dear Mimi, I'm so sorry. My prayers are with you.